On the fourth day after the New Year, Lu Lin Yuan’s design plans and models were finally completed.
Both Qin Muni and Xu Yisen went to Lu Lin Yuan’s studio, and both were very satisfied with the finished design. The next step was for Lu Lin Yuan’s team to begin construction on the restaurant according to the model and design plans.
Due to the large area of the restaurant, which was two floors, Lu Lin Yuan tentatively set the renovation time to be completed within two months.
Meanwhile, Qin Muni needed to use those two months to hire staff and trouble Tang Haoliang to handle the restaurant’s licenses and permits.
After discussing and finalizing the schedule and renovations with Lu Lin Yuan, Qin Muni didn’t stay long and immediately got up to leave.
As before, Xu Yisen casually found an excuse to say goodbye to Lu Lin Yuan and followed closely behind Qin Muni to leave together.
Ever since Liang Jiuchen’s New Year party, Qin Muni hadn’t been answering Xu Yisen’s calls and deliberately avoided him when he came by.
Now finally seeing Qin Muni, Xu Yisen was not about to miss the chance to invite her, "Would you like to go for dinner together?"
Qin Muni reached out and pushed open the studio’s door, the biting cold wind blew in, lifting her long hair draped over her shoulders.
She walked out of the studio, tightened her coat, and with an unchanged expression, glanced at Xu Yisen, "I already have an appointment."
"Seems you’re quite busy, how about meeting up for a late-night snack instead?"
"I’m not interested."
The temperature had dropped quite a bit these past few days, and the piercing cold wind felt like blades cutting against her face, making Qin Muni quicken her pace.
Xu Yisen walked side by side with her, catching a glimpse of her indifferent expression, inexplicably feeling her attitude was colder than the night’s wind.
Predicting that Qin Muni wouldn’t accept his invitation, Xu Yisen naturally shifted the topic, "Have you found a suitable candidate for the restaurant chef?"
Qin Muni nodded, "Yes."
Qin Muni had no intention of revealing her preferred chef candidate to Xu Yisen, only replying indifferently, "I’ll formally introduce him to you after we’ve agreed."
"Alright, if you need any help, feel free to contact me."
"Understood. I’ll be going now." Qin Muni nodded and strode towards her car.
Xu Yisen’s car was parked right next to hers. He walked to his car and saw Qin Muni quickly getting into hers, starting the engine, and even neglecting to wave goodbye before stepping on the accelerator and leaving.
Feeling a bit defeated, he rubbed his nose, red from the cold, before opening the door and getting into his own car.
Qin Muni lied to Xu Yisen; she actually had no appointment with anyone.
She just didn’t know how to face Xu Yisen yet and didn’t want to be alone with him, fearing she might soften and forgive him, thus wavering.
After parking her car in the underground parking lot of her apartment complex, Qin Muni took the elevator to check her mailbox beside the lobby.
The empty mailbox, devoid of the letter she was expecting, left her feeling a bit resigned. She closed the mailbox and turned around, lifting her legs toward the elevator.
Taking a few steps, she was stopped abruptly by a familiar yet distant call from behind.
Footsteps echoed from far to near, stopping behind her, and she heard the person call her again, "Munni."
With a stiff body, Qin Muni slowly turned around, expressionless, looking at the woman she hadn’t seen in years, who somewhat resembled her. Her mother, Zhao Yaru.
Before her, Zhao Yaru was still the same as years ago, dressed impeccably in designer brands from head to toe.